Safety detonator for devices projected from aircraft and the like



Feb. 28, 1967 M. RAD, JR ToR 3,30664 SAFETY DEToNA FOR DEVICES PRoJEcTED FROM AIRCRAFT AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13, 1965 nlm HIHL/ Feb. 28, 1967 3,306,64

M. RAD, J SAFETY DETONATOR FOR DEVICES PROJECTED FROM AIRCRAFT AND THE LIKE Filed April 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O f 3,306,164 SAFETY DETONATOR FOR DEVICES PROJECTED FROM AIRCRAFT AND THE LIKE Mike Rad, Jr., Richmond, Ill., assigner to Haber Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 447,829 4 Claims. (Cl. 89-1.5)

This invention relates to a safety detonator for devices projected from aircraft and the like.

The use by military aircraft of infra-red flares or like devices which are projected from the aircraft in package form requires that safety means be provided to prevent detonation or ignition of the flare or device, in the event that the projection mechanism for the package is operated to eject and detonate or ignite the flare and for some reason the package following ignition fails to leave the aircraft. In view of the high temperatures generated by such flare (approximately 3500 F.), the danger to the aircraft is at once apparent should the flare remain in the aircraft.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a safety detonator associated with each flare package or like device which assures that the package Will not be detonated ywithin the aircraft and that it will be detonated only upon the occurrence of a prescribed sequence of events.

Another object of my invention is lthe provision of a safety detonator of the foregoing character employing pneumatic and mechanical means -operable in a predetermined sequence before detonation can occur.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a safety detonator of the foregoing character which senses the position of the flare package within an ejection chamber so that in the event pneumatic pressure is insucient to eject the package from the chamber, the firing pin of the detonator will be presented from firing the primer of the package.

A further object of this invention is the provision in combination with a flare package of the foregoing character of safety detonator means which may be readily disarmed so as to prevent inadvertent ignition of the package.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision in a safety detonator of the foregoing character of a firing pin which is adjustable axially thereof.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of means of the foregoing character which is simple in construction, economical t manufacture and efficient in operation.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when the same is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. l is a front elevational view of a safety detonator in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of my invention showing an element in operative position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the parts in a different operative relation;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a block formed of aluminum or other suitable lightweight metal and shaped substantially as illustrated. A recess 3,306,164 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 ICC 11 is provided in the lower half portion of the block and extends longitudinally of the block from the left hand edge, as viewed in FIG. l, to a point spaced from the right hand edge thereof. The block is provided with a pair of bearing apertures 12 adapted to receive a shaft 13 which is rotatable therein. The shaft 13 is retained in assembled relation in the block by a pair of spring C- Washers 14 which are received in annular grooves near the ends of the shaft. A torsion spring 16 circumposed about said shaft has one end anchored in an aperture in the shaft and the other end abutting against the block. The spring 16 biases the shaft 13 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4. The shaft 13 is provided with a ytransverse bore 17 which is substantially in alignment with the center line of the recess 11. An arm 18 is pro vided lwith a reduced end portion 19 which is received in the bore 17 and is anchored to the shaft 13 by means of a pin 21. The distal end of arrn 18 is drilled and tapped to receive a threaded firing pin 22 provided with an enlarged slotted head 23. The firing pin may be adjusted axially so as to dispose the operating end in a desirable position in relation to the primer, hereinafter to be described.

A transfer tube 24 closed at one end is telescopically supported on arm 18 and is normally urged outwardly by a coiled spring 26 disposed within the bore of the tube. One end of the spring abuts against the end wall of the tube is provided with an aperture 29 communicating with end of the arm 18. The tube 24 is provided with longitudinal slots 27 and 28 in diametrically opposite wall portions to afford clearance for the opposite ends of the firing pin 22 which project beyond the arm 18, as illus trated in FIG. 4. The inner wall portion of the transfer tube is provided with an aperture 29 communicating with the slot 27 to afford clearance for a purpose, as will be hereinafter explained. As will tbe apparent, the transfer ytube 24 may move longitudinally of the arm 18 within the limits of the slot 2S, the inward or retracted position being illustrated by the solid lines and the outer position being illustrated by the lbroken lines in FIG. 4. In this outer position the firing pin is disposed centrally of the aperture 29.

The outer or closed end portion 31 of the transfer tube 24 is frusto-conical in shape and is adapted to be received in the end portion 32 of the longitudinal slot 11 which is counterbored in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be observed that the largest dimension of the end portion 31 is at the extreme end and that it is greater than the width of the counter-bored end portion of slot 11 so that when the transfer tube 24 is in retracted position, as ill-ustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 4, the transfer tube cannot be swung out of the slot 11 in the direction of the position illustrated by the broken lines in said figure. It will be understood that only when the transfer tube is caused to move axially thereof substantially to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 where the end portion 31 of the transfer tube is clearly outside of the counter-bored end portion 32 of the recess that the transfer tube 24 may be swung away from the block 10 to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 4. The transfer tube 24 is transversely slotted as at 33 and said slot is adapted to cooperate with a latch member, hereinafter to 'be described, which serves to retain the transfer tube in retracted position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The block 10 is provided with a transverse bore 34 disposed below the longitudinal slot 11, said bore being continuous with the bore 34a of a tubular extension 10a which is integral with the Ibody of the block. As seen clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7 the right hand portion of the block is provided with a retaining flange 36 at the end of the bore 34 and the tubular extension 10a is provided with opposed slots 37 and 38 extending longitudinally thereof. Referring particularly to FIGS. 6-8, it will be noted that the bore 34 which extends transversely lof the recess 11 partially intersects the same forming a continuation of slot 37. At the opposite or bottom side, as viewed in FIGS. 6-8, the block 10 is provided with a recess 39 which is in linear registration with slot 38, said recess terminating substantially at 41.

A lock assembly 42 is received within the bore 34, 34a and cooperates with the transfer tube 24 to lock the same either in retracted position or to release the same, as the situation requires. Said lock assembly includes a piston 43 on the outer surface of which are provided two lugs 44 and 46 diametrically opposed and extending longitudinally, said lugs being slidably received in slots 37 and 38, 39 respectively in the block. A pin 47 is anchored in the head of the piston 43 axially thereof. The pin 47 includes a main body portion and a distal end portion 48 of reduced diameter with a shoulder 4S at the juncture of the two portions and the terminal portion preferably being tapered. The piston 43 is slideable within the bore 34 and as will be seen clearly in FIG. 8 the upper lug 44 extends into the longitudinal recess 11 so as to engage in the transverse slot 33 of the transfer tube.

A collet 49 is disposed centrally of the bore 34 and is secured therein as by a spring C-washer 51. The collet includes a base member 52 in the form of a disc having a central hollow boss in which is received the collet element `S3. Said collet element is formed of a tube which has been slit longitudinally along four circumferentially spaced lines to provide four resilient fingers which normally tend to are outwardly. It will be understood that the unslitted portion of the collet element 53 is anchored in the hollow boss of the base member S2. Circumposed about said collet element and received within the piston 43 is an inertia member in the form of a sleeve 54 having a fiange 55 at one end and having a bore 56 to receive the collet element 53. The end of the -bore 56 remote from the flange 55 is tapered for a short distance and this tapered portion S7 affords means for camming in the ends of the collet fingers so that the mouth of the collet at its distal end is caused to be restricted in size. A coil spring 58 circumposed about the sleeve 54 abuts at one end the ange 55 and at the other end the inner side of the piston 43 and normally urges the two parts in opposed directions.

Referring to FIG. 6 the parts are shown in locked or inoperative position wherein the sleeve 54 is disposed at the extreme left in abutment with the base 52 of the collet and with the mouth of the collet restricted to prevent entry therein of the main body portion of the pin 47. Thus, in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 the piston 43 is retained in its outermost position against the annular flange 36 of the block and the upper lug 44 of the piston is within the longitudinal recess and in a position to engage in the transverse slot 33 of the transfer tube. It will be apparent by reference to FIG. 6 that in the position illustrated the mouth of the collet is of smaller diameter than the main body portion of the pin 47. Accordingly, the shoulder 45 on the pin `47 affords a stop abutting the end of the collet, thereby preventing relative movement between the piston 43 and the collet 49 and locking the piston 43 in a fixed position with the lug 44 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Displacement of the sleeve 54 is effected as a result of inertia, as will be hereinafter explained. In such event the sleeve is caused to move to the right relative to the collet 49, as viewed in FIG. 7, so that the camming portion 57 is away from the end portion of the collet element. The collet fingers thus can expand within the bore 56 of the sleeve so that when pneumatic pressure is applied against the .piston 43, as will be hereinafter explained, the main body portion of pin 47 may pass through the mouth of sleeve `54 and into the collet element, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In such movement lug 44 on piston 43 will clear the transverse slot 33 of the transfer tube 24 releasing the same and permitting the transfer tube to move outwardly under the influence of spring 26 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 so that it is in condition to 4be actuated for detonating a flare, as will be presently explained.

The block 10 is provided with a bore 61 in which is received a suitable primer 62, the same being retained in said bore by a spring C-washer 63. Referring to FIG. 4 is will be seen that the primer 62 is in such a position as to be impinged upon by the firing pin 22 whereby to activate the primer.

As was hereinabove alluded to rny invention is intended to be used in connection with the projection and detonation of infra red flares in military aircraft and in other applications, although it will be understood that my invention may have broader application than that herein mentioned. The device of my invention which is a component part of a are package is fixed to the package at one end thereof by means of screws or other fastening means which engage in threaded apertures 64 provided in bosses on the inner side of the device.

In use, a plurality of are packages are arranged conventionally in stacked relation in a magazine in or out the aircraft with the rearward end of the package being in registration with the discharge opening of the magazine and the forward face of the device of my invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 being in a position to be acted upon by a charge of compressed air. It will be noted that when the flare packages are stored in a magazine the parts of my detonator device are in the relationship illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 wherein the transfer tube 28 is locked against outward movement in an axial direction by reason of the lug 44 being engaged in slot 33 of the transfer tube. Correspondingly, the frusto-conical head 31 of the transfer tube is disposed in the counter-bored end portion 32 of the longitudinal recess 11 and is locked within said recess against pivotal movement outwardly of the recess about the axis of the shaft 13. Accordingly, by reason of the two locking arrangements just described the possibility of inadvertent detonation of the primer by the firing pin while the are package is in the magazine is completely precluded. The application of a charge of high pressure air against the forward face of the block 10 will effect rapid ejection of the package from the magazine. As the package is caused to accelerate, the sleeve 54 due to inertia will be `displaced from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 relative to the collet so that the collet fingers may expand permitting the main body of the pin 47 to enter the sleeve and collet and air pressure acting on piston 43 urges the piston to the position illustrated in FIG. 7. In such movement the lug 44 is caused to clear the transverse slot 33 of the transfer tube so that the transfer tube under spring pressure may move to the outward position illustrated in FIG. 5. As the fiare package is being ejected from the magazine the end 31 of the transfer tube engages against a stationary arming pin 65 in the base of the magazine thereby causing the arm 18 to swing in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. Further movement of the are package outwardly of the magazine will urge the arm 18 away from the face of the block to clear the arming pin and at that point the are package is substantially clear of the magazine and of the aircraft. The arm 18 is then caused to swing in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, by spring 16 whereby the firing pin 22 impinges upon the primer 62 detonating the same which results in detonation of the package. Should the package become jammed in the magazine the firing pin 22 is prevented from detonating the package by reason of the transfer tube being held by the arming pin and being prevented thereby from impinging on the primer 62. In such event the device may be readily disarmed so as to prevent inadvertent detonation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a series of safety means to assure that a flare package will not be detonated within the aircraft and that it will be detonated only under the occurrence of a predetermined sequence of events. For example, the transfer tube 24 normally is locked against movement by the lug 44 on the piston. Thus, should the pneumatic pressure be insufficient to eject the package from the magazine, the acceleration of the package would be insuiicient to effect displacement of the sleeve 54 to permit expansion of the collet. Accordingly, the piston 43 would remain in a position to effect locking of the transfer tube. However, should the aircraft be subjected to a sudden shock while a flare package is in a magazine which shock might be sufficient to effect displacement of the sleeve 54 so as to effect release of the transfer tube, the arm 18 could not be swung outwardly to tiring position out of the longitudinal recess 11 while the package was still in the magazine, since the end portion 31 of the transfer tube would be retained within the counterbored portion 32 of the longitudinal recess, it being understood that in such case the end portion 31 of the transfer tube would abut the wall of the magazine and could not be extended out of the recess. Also, as hereinabove noted, should the package become jammed in the ejection chamber after the transfer tube has been extended, the tube would engage the stationary arming pin in the ejection chamber which would prevent the arm 18 from swinging to firing position. It will also be note-d that the tiring pin 22 is adjustable for optimum operating conditions.

Referring to FIG. 4 it will be seen that when the transfer tube 24 is released and is caused to be extended to its maximum outward position, the enlarged recess 29 on the tube is brought into registration with the ring pin 22 so that when the firing pin impinges on the primer 62 the pin will be caused to penetrate into the primer to a greater degree by reason of the clearance afforded by the enlarged aperture.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a package to be detonated and a safety detonator attached thereto and both adapted to be ejected from a chamber by pressure lluid directed against an exposed face of said detonator. said detonator comprising a block having an elongated recess in said exposed face, an arm receivable in said recess and being mounted at one end for pivotal movement relative to said recess, means biasing said arm in a direction to swing into said recess, an elongated member slideably supported on said arm for longitudinal movement an-d having a transverse slot therein, spring means biasing said member outwardly, a tiring pin carried on the distal end of said arm, a primer carried in said block and adapted to be struck by said pin, said block having a cylindrical chamber extending transversely of said recess and being in cornmunication therewith through a passage extending longitudinally of said chamber, a hollow piston movable axially in said chamber and having a lug extending through said passage into said elongated recess to engage in said transverse slot when the same is in registration with said passage, a pin disposed axially within said piston and extending into said cylindrical chamber, said pin having an end portion of reduced diameter affording a shoulder at the juncture of the end portion with the main body portion of the pin, a collet mounted in one end of said cylindrical chamber and extending in a direction opposed to said pin whereby said pin may telescope into said collet, a sleeve slideable in said cylindrical chamber and circumposed about said collet, said sleeve having internal camming means adapted to operate with said collet to compress the same so as to limit telescoping movement of said pin relative to said collet up to said shoulder whereby said lug is disposed in registration with said recess and in position to engage in the transverse slot of said elongated member to releasably lock the same in retracted position, said sleeve when said package and detonator are ejected from said chamber being caused to move by inertia relative to said collet to permit the same to expand thereby to afford clearance to receive the body of said pin so that said piston under the influence of the pressure iluid is caused to move to a position wherein said lug is clear of said transverse slot thereby permitting said elongated member to move to extended position so that it may be rocked out of said longitudinal recess and thereafter effect detonation by said firing pin striking said primer.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including means for preventing rocking of said elongated member out of said elongated recess while said package and said detonator are disposed in said chamber.'

3. The combination of a package to be detonated and a safety detonator attached thereto and both adapted to be ejected from a chamber by pressure uid directed against an exposed face of said detonator, said detonator comprising a block having a primer, an arm mounted at one end in said block for pivotal movement, said arm carrying a firing pin at its distal end and being biased in a direction so that said firing pin will strike said primer, a rst member supported on said arm and biased for movement in a direction away from the pivotal axes of said arm, said member having a locking element, said block having a chamber therein, a second member slideable in said chamber and having a co-operating locking element arranged to coact with said first mentioned locking element to retain said first member in retracted position, releasable means releasably securing said second member in locking relation with said first member, inertia actuated means associated with said releasable means for normally securing said releasable means in said locking relation but operable when subjected to a force of inertia to elfect release of said releasable means whereby said first member is caused to move outwardly so that it may be rocked away from said block and thereafter eiect detonation by said tiring pin striking said primer.

4. The combination of a package to be detonated and a safety detonator attached thereto and both adapted to be ejected from a chamber by pressure uid directed against an exposed face of said detonator, said detonator comprising a block having an elongated recess in said exposed face, an arm receivable in said recess and being mounted at one end for pivotal movement relative to said recess, means biasing said arm in a direction to swing into said recess, a tubular member carried on said arm and in telescoping relation therewith, said tubular member having a transverse slot and a pair of diametrically aligned slots, spring means biasing said tubular member outwardly, a ring pin carried on the distal end of said arm, said tiring pin extending through said aligned slots, a primer carried in said block and adapted to be struck by said firing pin, said block having a cylindrical chamber extending transversely of said recess and being in communication therewith through a passage extending longitudinally of said chamber, a hollow piston movable axially in said chamber and having a lug extending through said passage into said elongated recess to engage in said transverse slot when the same is in registration with said passage, a pin disposed axially within said piston and extending Within said cylindrical chamber, said pin having an end portion of reduced diameter affording a shoulder at the juncture of the end portion with the main body portion of the pin, a collet mounted in one end of said cylindrical chamber and extending in a direction opposed to said pin whereby said pin may telescope within said collet, a sleeve slideable in said cylindrical chamber and circumposed about said collet, said sleeve having internal camming means adapted to co-operate with said collet to compress the same so as to limit telescoping movement of said pin relative to said collet up to said shoulder whereby said lug is disposed in registration with said recess and in position to engage in the transverse slot of said tubular member to releasably lock the same in retracted position, said sleeve when said package and detonator are ejected being caused to move axially relative to said collet to permit the same to expand thereby to afford clearance to receive the body of said pin so that said piston under the influence of the pressure uid is moved to a position wherein said lug is clear of said trnasverse slot thereby permitting said tubular member References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1956 Conway 102-49 5/1963 Ono 102-70 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL W. ENGLE, Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A PACKAGE TO BE DETONATED AND A SAFETY DETONATOR ATTACHED THERETO AND BOTH ADAPTED TO BE EJECTED FROM A CHAMBER BY PRESSURE FLUID DIRECTED AGAINST AN EXPOSED FACE OF SAID DETONATOR, SAID DETONATOR COMPRISING A BLOCK HAVING AN ELONGATED RECESS IN SAID EXPOSED FACE, AN ARM RECEIVABLE IN SAID RECESS AND BEING MOUNTED AT ONE END FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID RECESS, MEANS BIASING SAID ARM IN A DIRECTION TO SWING INTO SAID RECESS, AN ELONGATED MEMBER SLIDEABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID ARM FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT AND HAVING A TRANSVERSE SLOT THEREIN, SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID MEMBER OUTWARDLY, A FIRING PIN CARRIED ON THE DISTAL END OF SAID ARM, A PRIMER CARRIED IN SAID BLOCK AND ADAPTED TO BE STRUCK BY SAID PIN, SAID BLOCK HAVING A CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RECESS AND BEING IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH THROUGH A PASSAGE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CHAMBER, A HOLLOW PISTON MOVABLE AXIALLY IN SAID CHAMBER AND HAVING A LUG EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PASSAGE INTO SAID ELONGATED RECESS TO ENGAGE IN SAID TRANSVERSE SLOT WHEN THE SAME IS IN REGISTRATION WITH SAID PASSAGE, A PIN DISPOSED AXIALLY WITHIN SAID PISTON AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER, SAID PIN HAVING AN END PORTION OF REDUCED DIAMETER AFFORDING A SHOULDER AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE END PORTION WITH THE MAIN BODY PORTION OF THE PIN, A COLLET MOUNTED IN ONE END OF SAID CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER AND EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION OPPOSED TO SAID PIN WHEREBY SAID PIN MAY TELESCOPE INTO SAID COLLET, A SLEEVE SLIDEABLE IN SAID CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER AND CIRCUMPOSED ABOUT SAID COLLET, SAID SLEEVE HAVING INTERNAL CAMMING MEANS ADAPTED TO OPERATE WITH SAID COLLET TO COMPRESS THE SAME SO AS TO LIMIT TELESCOPING MOVEMENT OF SAID PIN RELATIVE TO SAID COLLET UP TO SAID SHOULDER WHEREBY SAID LUG IS DISPOSED IN REGISTRATION WITH SAID RECESS AND IN POSITION TO ENGAGE IN THE TRANSVERSE SLOT OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER TO RELEASABLY LOCK THE SAME IN RETRACTED POSITION, SAID SLEEVE WHEN SAID PACKAGE AND DETONATOR ARE EJECTED FROM SAID CHAMBER BEING CAUSED TO MOVE BY INERTIA RELATIVE TO SAID COLLET TO PERMIT THE SAME TO EXPAND THEREBY TO AFFORD CLEARANCE TO RECEIVE THE BODY OF SAID PIN SO THAT SAID PISTON UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE PRESSURE FLUID IS CAUSED TO MOVE TO A POSITION WHEREIN SAID LUG IS CLEAR OF SAID TRANSVERSE SLOT THEREBY PERMITTING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER TO MOVE TO EXTENDED POSITION SO THAT IT MAY BE ROCKED OUT OF SAID LONGITUDINAL RECESS AND THEREAFTER EFFECT DETONATION BY SAID FIRING PIN STRIKING SAID PRIMER. 